Return to Steve's 2-28-24

Photos by Rich, Steve and Gary

Ashland Hiking Home

A break in the winter storm cycle on Wednesday allowed us to make up Monday's canceled snow hike.

Steve Stark, a friend of the AHG, met us at 9:30 at Rite Aid and drove us 20 miles up DIM Rd to his 40-acre mountain
property in his Range Rover.

When we arrived at the BLM Rd turn off there were about 2 inches of fresh powder snow on the ground. So while most of our small group of five dawned snowshoes, I stuck with my waterproof coated hiking boots...(although I carried the snowshoes around all day.)

We were at 4,700' with mild weather in the 30s on an overcast day. We hiked past the first property owned by "Banjo Bill" with his dog and passed one more until we got to Steve's acres with the lake coming into view. Steve calls the lake "Lake Lily" after his Australian Shepherd. We walked around the lake which had a patchy thin coating of ice, and across the earthen dam that was covered with snow. We followed Steve's tracks around the lake and through the trees to Camp Lily with two permanent trailers, (two more show up in the summer.) Steve graciously put out camping chairs and a propane heater and shared a thermos of hot chocolate laced with espresso to help warm us during our lunch break. Dark chocolate and Girl Scout cookies were also shared.

After lunch, we explored a snow-covered corridor of pine trees, then came back through the gate to complete our circuit of the 40-acre property.

The new snow had created a winter wonderland around the mountain lake. Steve's acres are a special place to visit year-round and he extends an invitation to AHG groups to join him there. (Steve can be contacted at steve@smstark.com)

Thanks for making it a great day,

Rich